[Sports Day] Recommended Songs for Tug-of-War: A curated selection of powerful BGM to fire up your fighting spirit!

lilacNEW!Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Lilac” Official Music Video

If you want to hype up a tug-of-war at a sports day with a sound full of exhilarating drive, this track by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE is perfect! Released as a digital-only single in April 2024, it’s an uptempo tune chosen as the opening theme for the anime “Oblivion Battery.” It boasts immense popularity, with total streams surpassing 300 million.

The theme captures the bittersweetness and conflicts of youth, conveying the protagonist’s strong will to accept their imperfect self and move forward into the future—sure to set listeners’ hearts ablaze.

Its technical guitar riffs, packed with the impulses of student days, will ignite your fighting spirit, so be sure to pick it as BGM for an intense event!

New Treasure IslandNEW!Sakanakushon

Sakanaction / New Treasure Island -Music Video-

This is an alternative rock track produced as the theme song for the film Bakuman, which portrays the youth of high school manga artists.

Released by Sakanaction in September 2015 as their 11th single, it captivates with retro synthesizer tones reminiscent of the 1980s and an up-tempo melody that makes you want to move.

Its powerful message about venturing into the unknown and the meticulous attitude toward creation is a perfect match for a tug-of-war scene where a team unites and gives its all.

The bright, high-velocity sound stokes fighting spirit and will make the competition even more exhilarating.

As BGM for a vigorous tug-of-war, why not play it at your sports day?

InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Inferno

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s “Inferno,” which is popular among elementary and middle school students, is also the theme song for the anime Fire Force.

The lyrics have a grand, immersive worldview that really draws you in.

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE often has a fresh, breezy image, but this track has a slightly darker tone and a driving pace, making it a great BGM choice for tug-of-war.

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utatane

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breakthroughSUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER “Toppakō” MV (TV anime Haikyu!! TO THE TOP, 2nd cour opening theme)

This song expresses the power of taking on challenges with commanding vocals and a fiery band sound.

The lyrics, which call for facing things head-on and living life to the fullest, pierce the listener’s heart.

Released in October 2020, it was used as the opening theme for the second cour of the anime Haikyu!! TO THE TOP.

With its powerful sound and message-driven lyrics, it’s sure to ignite the fighting spirit of athletes taking on a tug-of-war.

together; along with; bothWANIMA

WANIMA – Together (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

This song features a powerful, passionate vocal performance and a striking rock sound.

Its uplifting message encourages pushing forward through setbacks and anxiety, and the melody that sings of friendship and gratitude resonates deeply.

Released in August 2016, it was featured in a NIVEA Kao “8×4” commercial, capturing many hearts with its energetic sound and meaningful lyrics.

During production, the Kumamoto earthquakes occurred, and that experience imbued the song with reflections on the preciousness of life and love for one’s hometown, making it a profound piece.

This track is perfect not only for tug-of-war at school sports festivals, but also for moments when you want to work hard with someone, take on challenges as a team, or find the courage to move forward.

Go for it!!Urufuruzu

Ulfuls – Guts da ze!!

Guts daze!!, the 1995 smash hit by the Osaka-born rock band Ulfuls that catapulted them to nationwide fame.

With its disco-flavored, high-energy vibe, it’s guaranteed to lift anyone’s spirits! In the music video, Tortoise Matsumoto’s feudal lord costume is comical, and it’s said they actually borrowed the outfit worn by Ken Shimura in his “Baka Tono-sama” skit.

It’s a timeless track that still sounds fresh today, and it’d be a blast if it played during a parent-child tug-of-war event.

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miyabi

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I am the strongest.Ado

[Ado] I’m the Strongest (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED)

With its powerful vocals and dynamic sound, this song resonates like a call to awaken your fighting spirit.

It’s infused with a passionate resolve to believe in your own strength and face any hardship head-on.

Composed by Motoki Omori of Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, it serves as an in-film song for the feature-length anime ONE PIECE FILM RED, released in June 2022, showcasing Ado’s overwhelming vocal prowess to the fullest.

Although it is a character song, it carries a universal message, and in April 2024 it won the Bronze Medal at the NexTone Award.

It’s a highly recommended track for moments when you want to fire yourself up before a decisive challenge or rally your courage.